Rep. John Binienda recalled as 'advocate for the people'

By Brad Petrishen TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Friday

Aug 22, 2014 at 10:38 PMAug 22, 2014 at 11:58 PM

"He was one of the greatest guys that ever graced the halls of the Statehouse," former state representative William J. Glodis said. "He was hard-working, loyal and conscientious. He was a good friend who put his constituents as his number one priority."

Mr. Binienda — a longtime teacher, part-time bartender and 28-year state representative — died early Friday morning at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home after a period of declining health. He was 67.

His son Jamie Binienda was by his side, and he was visited by many family members in the hours before his death.

"His passion was helping people," said Jamie Binienda — a sentiment echoed by numerous local and state lawmakers.

"John Binienda has been an institution in Worcester and in the State House for decades, and his passing will leave a gaping hole in both communities," Gov. Deval L. Patrick said in a statement.

"John Binienda was not only a great public servant, but a very, very good man," said U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester. "He wanted to help people, and that's what he spent his entire life doing."

Mr. Binienda served the final decades of his life as state representative for the 17th Worcester District, which includes Leicester and the southern and western sections of Worcester.

A diabetic for the past 20 years, Mr. Binienda was more recently diagnosed with kidney disease, and announced last winter he would not seek re-election because of his health.

In recognition of Mr. Binienda's death, City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. ordered all U.S., state and city flags lowered to half-staff in municipal buildings and properties until after his burial Tuesday.

One of eight children, Mr. Binienda grew up on Shirley Street in Main South. He graduated from St. Peter's High School and Worcester State College, serving as a teacher in Leicester for 18 years before being elected in 1986.

Those who knew Mr. Binienda universally marveled at his seemingly encyclopedic memory for friends, phone numbers and family relationships. They said he knew virtually every person and every street name in his district — the same streets he walked as a kid in the 1950s.

"We called him Rain Man," Jamie Binienda said.

"He could tell you the numbers on your license plate," former state Rep. Vincent A. Pedone said. "He would be able to remember the name of a constituent 15 years ago who called about some Social Security problem."

Jamie Binienda remarked that his father's district seemed "made for him." In addition to his home turf in Worcester, the 17th District includes Leicester, his longtime teaching ground.

"John knew everybody in his district," said former state Rep. Kevin O'Sullivan, recalling what it was like to walk the St. Patrick's Day parade with him.

"He was like Rocky Balboa," Mr. O'Sullivan said. "Everybody yelled his name, and he would say, 'Oh yeah, I know that fellow, and his son is this fellow, and I helped that guy get a job.' "

"Nobody I've ever known of knew his constituency better than John," said state Sen. Harriette L. Chandler, D-Worcester. "He knew everybody in every double- and triple-decker in Main South. He knew their extended family.

"He was a prince," she said.

While other politicians sized up their prospects for higher office, Mr. Binienda was comfortable staying in his district representing Leicester and Worcester's Ward 7 and Precincts 2, 3, and 4 in Ward 8.

In addition to his strong ties to his constituents, Mr. Binienda was similarly well-liked in the Legislature, colleagues said. He recently chaired the influential Committee on Rules, and succeeded, they said, because of his ability to work with people at both ends of the political spectrum.

"He really transcended ideologies," said former Worcester County Sheriff Guy W. Glodis, calling Mr. Binienda the "common denominator" at just about every legislative meeting.

"He was the one everyone would hang around," he said.

Mr. Binienda was not a legislator eager to stand in front of the microphone and was respected on both Dead Horse Hill and Beacon Hill.

"He wasn't boisterous, but he got his point across in a succinct, clear way," Mr. O'Sullivan said. "Quietly, behind the scenes, he knew how to get things done and push the right buttons."

Mr. Binienda was known as a fiscally conservative Democrat who was generally opposed to tax increases. Colleagues said he worked tirelessly to get as much funding for the city as possible, including the South Worcester Neighborhood Improvement Corporation, Dismas House, Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives and the talking books program at the Worcester Public Library.

Timothy P. Murray, the former lieutenant governor, now head of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, said Mr. Binienda "epitomized the heart and soul of the people" of his district.

Mr. Murray pointed to Mr. Binienda's work on the Webster Square Veterans Memorial Pool at Bennett Field as emblematic of the recognition Mr. Binienda had for "bread and butter" projects.

Mr. McGovern remarked that there "wasn't an economic development project that involved state money that didn't have his fingerprints all over it."

William Glodis said Mr. Binienda, who bartended for years at the American Legion hall in Main South, was an advocate for hard-working families.

"He was always a strong vote for a working man. He was a lunch pail Democrat who looked out for those who needed help," he said.

In a statement, Mayor Joseph M. Petty said the region had lost great a friend and ally.

"A true son of Worcester, a champion for the region, and a good friend, I will miss our conversations and the support he gave in moving this city forward," Mr. Petty said.

In May, about 100 of Mr. Binienda's friends and colleagues, including House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and two former speakers, gathered with him at Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Westboro.

At that time he was presented an honorary doctorate from Worcester State University, his alma mater, and the RFK Lifetime Achievement Award from the Worcester Democratic City Committee.

In a statement Friday, Mr. DeLeo called Mr. Binienda a fierce advocate for his district who left an indelible mark on both Worcester and the Statehouse.

"His unrivaled love for Worcester and his work on behalf of his constituents are marks of his true nature — someone who was never afraid to stand up and fight for what he knew was right," Mr. DeLeo said.

Maureen Binienda, principal of South High Community School and Mr. Binienda's sister-in-law, said Mr. Binienda had a natural affinity for human beings that inspired loyalty in his friends.

"He legitimately cared about people," Ms. Binienda said, and was the old-fashioned type who would send a card or knock on a door before sending an email.

Ms. Binienda said her brother-in-law lived his dream.

"He was a kid that grew up in Main South and wanted to be a state representative," she said. "The greatness of it is he showed that people can be a common person, and, through building relationships, can actually make a difference in government."

Mr. McGovern, calling Mr. Binienda an "incredible teacher and mentor" in addition to a friend, said everything he did had a personal touch.

"He had a great sense of humor, and every time we'd meet, he'd always begin by asking how my family was," he said.

The only times Mr. Binienda missed formal votes of the House was when his own parents died. Mr. McGovern said his attendance at community events was similarly impressive.

"I used to joke with him that he'd show up to the opening of an envelope," he said.

Mr. Binienda's bartending at the legion led to many a story — he once served Mr. Patrick at the urging of Mr. Murray — and was one of the ways Mr. Binienda built up an army of friends that could be leaned upon in times of need.

"I can remember being 10 years old and getting a phone call at home from an elderly woman who had a broken pipe in her basement," Jamie Binienda said. "Sure enough, my father called a friend who was a plumber and got him over there."

Jamie Binienda said one of his favorite remarks ever about his father was made by U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry back when Mr. Kerry was campaigning for U.S. Senate in Worcester.

"My father walked around the room and introduced everybody by first name to John Kerry," Jamie Binienda said. "When Kerry is leaving, he said, 'Is it possible that everybody in this room is John Binienda's family member?' "

In addition to Jamie, Mr. Binienda is survived by another son, John Jr., a daughter, Julie, and four grandchildren.

Jamie Binienda said his father in his last months was suffering from end-stage kidney failure. He said he also broke seven ribs in a fall in April from which he never fully recovered.

Mr. O'Sullivan said despite his health, Mr. Binienda insisted on reading the papers every day, and never stopped talking about the good times.

Mr. Binienda last spoke with the Telegram & Gazette in February, praising those in his district as down-to-earth people who help one another in times of need.

"I don't represent the rich. I represent Main South, South Worcester, Columbus Park, Hadwen Park, Cherry Valley, Leicester, Rochdale," he said. "I represent men and women who get up every day at 6:30 and go to work to support their family. They are just a wonderful group of people."

A wake for Mr. Binienda will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at Callahan-Fay and Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Peter's Church, 931 Main St.

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